Twenty-Nine Palms Marine pleads not guilty in son's killing

TWENTY-NINE PALMS -- A Marine living in Twenty-Nine Palms pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges he caused the brain death of his 5-week-old boy, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff's officials.

Zachary Kevan Brendemuhl, 26, is facing charges of murder, assault of a child causing death and willful cruelty to a child resulting in death, according to court records.

Paramedics were called out to home in the 4900 block of Desert Knoll Avenue for an unresponsive infant, according to a sheriff's news release. The child was reportedly limp and unresponsive but still alive, officials said.

The infant was taken to the Naval Hospital in Twenty-Nine Palms then moved to Loma Linda University Medical Center to receive a higher level of care, according to authorities.

The Crimes Against Children Detail was called in to investigate the case.

As detectives researched the case, the infant's condition worsened and the baby was eventually pronounced brain dead, according to sheriff's authorities.

Authorities determined Brendemuhl reportedly caused the injuries that led to the child's death, officials said.

The 6-foot-tall, 220-pound Marine was arrested April 25 on Adobe Road north of Indian Trail in Twenty-Nine Palms.

He is currently being held at the sheriff's Morongo station jail without bail. He is expected back in count on June 4.

The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Detective Mauricio Hurtado or Sgt. Trevis Newport at 909-387-3589.